Technologies

Invention

This device consists of an expandable tubular graft that when unsheathed completely creates a branch anastomosis. The device is image guided, minimally invasive, does not require fine suturing, and requires a significantly lower level of procedural training.

Background

Hemodialysis replicates kidney functions for those with renal failure, filtering waste out of blood. Blood is taken out, treated, and replaced. Dialysis may occur three times a week with three to four hour long sessions. The traditional methods to get access to the blood involve surgery in the arm or leg through which a vein is artificially connected to an existing artery. The heart pumps blood out through arteries and blood returns through veins. Dialysis involves a high flowrate through an artificial entry, and a fistula or graft allow the vein to better accommodate this change. However, that risks infection and fails 60% of the time. A simple percutaneously created anastomosis device is needed. Such a device would obviate the need for an open surgical procedure replacing it with a closed, sutureless, through-the-skin approach serving as the foundation for alternative forms of dialysis to be developed. Such a device would be disruptive to current methods and would significantly reduce the morbidity, mortality, expense and availability of chronic dialysis.